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The Ham Slams celebrate at home after Alec’s 2-run homer in the top of the eighth put them ahead 3-1

After struggling at the plate all game, Alec took Joey deep for a 2-run homer in the top of the 8th inning, putting the Ham Slams ahead for good 3-1 to even the best-of-five series with the Fish Sticks at one game apiece.

Joey, who had a disappointing season pitching for the Fish Sticks, started game 2 on the mound. Things didn’t start well, as Anthony, the game’s first batter, crushed a solo homer to left-center, putting the Ham Slams ahead 1-0 early. Joey struck out the next batter, Alec, and after Charlie singled with one out, Steve was retired to end the inning.

Steve started for the Ham Slams, and pitched one of the best games of his EWL career. He retired Ivan to start the game, and after Joey singled with one out, Dinger was retired for the second out of the inning, stranding the runner at first.

Joey started to pitch well in the top of the second, retiring Anthony and Alec in order in the top of the second.

Steve cruised through the bottom of the second, retiring Blose and Vassallo in order.

The pitcher’s duel continued in the top of the third. Charlie flew out to center for the first out of the inning, and after Steve singled with one out, Anthony grounded out to left to end the inning.

Ivan flew out to lead off the bottom of the third. Joey doubled with one out, but Steve stranded him at second, getting Dinger to fly out to left for the second out of the inning.

Joey continued to roll in the top of the fourth, sending down Alec and Charlie in order for a scoreless inning.

With the score 1-0, the Fish Sticks would even things up in the bottom of the fourth. Blose grounded out to left for the first out of the inning, but Vassallo followed with a towering fly to deep right-center field. The solo homer tied the game at 1-1. With one out, it looked like the Sticks were set to take the lead when Ivan singled, and Joey followed with a single putting runners on first and second with one out. But Steve got Dinger to ground out to the mound, stranding both runners and ending the inning.

The Sticks would maintain the tie in the top of the fifth, as Joey retired Steve and Anthony in order.

Blose led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a double, and the go-ahead runner was on second with no outs. But Steve buckled down, retiring Vassallo and Ivan by ground out in order, stranding the runner and maintaining the 1-1 tie.

Joey continued to retire Ham Slams in the top of the sixth, as Alec and Charlie were retired consecutively, each flying out to Ivan in right field.

The Sticks were one-run away from a 2-0 series lead, but couldn’t get a base-runner in the bottom of the sixth. Steve retired Joey and Dinger in order, ending the sixth and sending the game to extra innings.

Joey stated on the mound for the Sticks in the top of the seventh, and he continued to pitch well. He retired Steve, and Craig, who was inserted into the lineup, to end the inning.

The Ham Slams also kept their starting pitcher on the mound, and Steve continued to roll. Blose grounded out to left for the first out of the inning, and after a Vassallo single with one out, Ivan grounded out to center for the second out of the inning, stranding the runner at first.

The game headed to the eighth inning, the last inning that either starting pitcher would be available due to the 8 inning pitching limit. Anthony led off the inning with a single, the first hit for a Ham Slam since the third inning. Alec, who was 0-4 with a strikeout at that point, came to the plate and crushed a two-run home run to right field, putting the Ham Slams up 3-1. Joey avoided any further damage, retiring Charlie and Steve to end the inning.

Down two runs, the Sticks would need to respond to extend the game. Joey flew out to the mound for the first out of the inning, and down to their final batter, Steve fanned Dinger to end the inning and the game.

Steve and the Ham Slams had outlasted the Fish Sticks 3-1 in a marathon defensive struggle, and had tied the series at 1-1 with the Ham Slams heading home for games 3 and 4.

Game Notes:
– Steve pitched the complete game win for the Ham Slams, scattering 7 hits and giving up only 1 ER in 8 innings.
– Anthony led the Ham Slams offensively, going 2 for 5 with a single, a homer, an RBI, and 2 runs scored. Alec went 1 for 5, but his 2-run homer in the top of the 8th won the game for the Ham Slams.
– Vassallo led the Fish Sticks at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a single, a homer, and their only RBI and run scored. Joey also went 3 for 5 with 2 singles and a double.

Les pitched a gem and went 4 for 4 at the plate as he carried the Caucasians to a 3-2 comeback win

The Caucasians trailed most of the game, but prevailed late as Les pitched well and had the game-winning RBI in a 3-2 win over Bobby Brown in game 2 of their best-of-five series.

After getting destroyed in game 1, Bobby Brown had a much stronger defensive performance in game 2 against the Caucasians. Les started on the mound against Bobby Brown, and fell behind early. After retiring Mark to start the game, Brad blasted a solo shot to deep left field, putting Bobby Brown up 1-0 early. Les retired Cody to end the inning with a one-run deficit.

Brad’s solo bomb in the top of the first put Bobby Brown up 1-0 early

Morrison led off the bottom of the first with a double, and moved to third when Ron grounded out to left for the first out of the inning. With one out and a runner on third, Guthrie singled, scoring Morrison and tying the game at 1-1. Les followed with a single, putting runners on first and second with one out, and it looked like the Caucasians were about to repeat their huge first inning in game 1. But Mark, Bobby Brown’s starting pitcher, got out of the jam, retiring the red-hot Morrison to end the first and strand both runners.

Les retired Holly to lead off the top of the second, and after Mark singled with one out, Brad flew out to center for the second out of the inning.

Mark had a much easier second inning, retiring Ron and Guthrie in order for a scoreless frame.

Cody grounded out to left for the first out in the top of the third, and following a Holly single, Mark was retired to end the inning.

Les singled to lead off the bottom of the third, but Mark stranded him at first, retiring Morrison and Ron in order.

Brad grounded out to center for the first out of the top of the fourth, but Bobby Brown would take the lead when Cody hit a solo bomb to center field, making the score 2-1. Les retired Holly to end the inning and minimize the damage.

Cody went deep in the top of the fourth, putting Bobby Brown ahead 2-1

As they did in the bottom of the first, the Caucasians immediately responded in the bottom of the fourth. Mark retired Guthrie to start the inning, but Les followed with a solo blast to center, tying the game at 2-2. Morrison followed with a single, but fell down in between first and second trying to extend the hit into a double, and was retired for the second out of the inning.

With the game tied at 2-2, Bobby Brown couldn’t regain the lead in the top of the fifth. Les cruised through the inning, retiring Mark and Brad in order.

Ron led off the bottom of the fifth by flying out to Mark at the mound, and Bobby Brown was an out away from heading into the final frame with the game tied. But the Caucasians, as they have all season, responded when it mattered most. Guthrie singled with one out, and Les followed with a double off the fence. Guthrie raced from first to home to score, putting the Caucasians ahead for the first time in the game 3-2. Morrison followed with a single, putting runners at first and third with one out. But Mark avoided a big inning, getting Ron to ground out to left for the second out of the inning, stranding both runners.

Guthrie singled to lead off the bottom of the fifth and scored when the next batter, Les, hit an RBI double off the fence

Down 3-2, Bobby Brown was down to their final at-bat. Cody led off the inning by grounding out to Morrison in left for the first out, but Holly followed with a one-out single. With the tying run at first, Mark doubled, pushing Holly to third and putting runners on second and third. With out one, the tying run on third and the go-ahead run on second, Brad came to the plate. But Les locked down and got Brad to ground out to Morrison in left, stranding both runners to end the inning and the game.

The 3-2 put the Caucasians up 2-0 over Downtown Bobby Brown in their best-of-five series, and putting the Caucasians one win away from returning to the Wiffle Series for the second consecutive season.

Dinger turned in his best pitching outing of the season, throwing a shutout in Game 1

Dinger delivered what may have been the best pitching performance of the 2012 season in game 1 of the Fish Sticks first round series against the Ham Slams, providing a complete game victory while giving up only 3 hits and no runs.

The Fish Sticks, who were the #2 seed in 2011, narrowly outlasted the now defunct 4 out of 5 Dentists in the first round of the 2011 playoffs en route to their championship win in the Wiffle Series. After losing the #1 seed late in the regular season this year, they would be matched up against the EWL’s newest franchise, the Ham Slams, who clinched the #3 seed.

Dinger started on the mound for the Sticks and cruised through the top of the first.

Alec, one of the EWL’s brightest young stars on the mound, started for the Slams. He gave up a single to Ivan to start the inning. Joey flew out for the first out, but Dinger followed with a single. Ivan, who was on second, attempted to go from first to third but was caught in between bases for the second out of the inning, and the score remained 0-0.

After Alec grounded out to left for the first out of the top of the second, Charlie singled. Anthony followed with a single, but was caught in between bases for the second out of the inning.

The Fish Sticks broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second. Blose, last year’s MVP and playoff hero for the Fish Sticks, hit a solo homer to lead off the inning, making the score 1-0. Vassallo grounded out to left for the first out of the inning, but Ivan followed with a solo homer of his own, and the score was 2-0. Joey was retired for the second out of the inning, and the Ham Slams were down two runs.

The Fish Sticks struck first when Blose hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second

Dinger continued to roll in the top of the third, retiring the Ham Slams in order.

The Sticks opened up the game in the bottom of the third. Dinger led off with a single, and moved to second when Blose also singled. Vassallo grounded out to center for the first out of the inning, but the runners moved to second and third. With one out and two runners in scoring position, Ivan singled, scoring Dinger from third and making the score 3-0.

Ivan, who went 3 for 4, drove in Dinger from third with an RBI single in the third inning

With runners on the corners and one out, Joey hit a 3-run homer to left-center, pushing the Sticks lead to 6-0. Dinger and Blose each followed with singles, their second singles in the inning, and Vassallo followed with a 3-run bomb, the second 3-run homer for the Fish Sticks in the inning, and the score was 9-0. Alec retired Ivan to end the third, but the damage was done.

The Sticks celebrate at home after Joey’s 3-run homer put them up 6-0

Dinger had all of the run support that he would need. He retired Charlie and Anthony in order in the top of the fourth.

After getting hit hard early, Alec got into a groove in the bottom of the fourth, sending down Joey and Dinger consecutively for a scoreless inning.

The Slams couldn’t rally in the top of the fifth. Dinger continued to mow down hitters, sending Steve and Alec down in order.

The Sticks wouldn’t add to their lead in the bottom of the fifth, as Alec retired Blose and Vassallo to end the inning.

With a 9-run lead, Dinger shut the door in the top of the sixth. Anthony doubled with one out after Charlie grounded out to left for the first out of the inning, but Dinger stranded him at second, getting Steve to fly out to left to end the inning and the game.

Game Notes:
– Dinger pitched the complete game shutout, giving up only three hits.
– Four of the five Fish Sticks homered, as all but Dinger went yard. Dinger went 3 for 4 at the plate with 3 singles and 2 runs scored.
– Anthony was the only Ham Slam with multiple hits, going 2 for 4 with a single and a double.

Guthrie held Bobby Brown to only 1 run on 6 hits while his offensive provided 14 runs of support in Game 1

The Caucasians, last year’s runner-up in the Wiffle Series, started the 2012 EWL playoffs on the right foot, as Guthrie shut down Bobby Brown, and the Caucasians offensive exploded for a 14-1 win.

The Caucasians, who dominated the second half of the EWL season to claim the #1 seed for the second consecutive year, faced off against the #4 seed Downtown Bobby Brown to start the 2012 playoffs. Downtown Bobby Brown, formerly Pumice on Slow!, was swept by the Caucasians in the first round of the 2011 playoffs. Guthrie, who gave up 1 hit over two complete game wins in the first round of last year’s EWL playoffs, started on the mound for the Caucasians.

Mark, who had a fantastic rookie season for Bobby Brown, led off the playoffs with a deep solo homer to right, putting Bobby Brown up 1-0 early. Unfortunately, it would be the only run Bobby Brown would score in the game. After giving up the bomb, Guthrie locked down, retiring Brad, and following a single by Cody, got Holly to groundout to left to end the first inning.

The Lentz brothers celebrate after Mark’s leadoff homer in the top of the first

Down 1-0, the Caucasians crushed Holly, Bobby Brown’s starting pitcher, for 9 runs in the bottom of the first. Morrison led off the inning with a homer, and Ron followed with a home run of his own, making back-to-back jacks to start the game. Guthrie and Les singled with no outs, and Morrison hit his second consecutive homer in as many at-bats, a 3-run bomb that put the Caucasians up 5-1. Ron followed with a single, and with a runner on first, Guthrie blasted a 2-run homer, making the score 7-1. Les and Morrison each singled, and with runners on first and second, Ron tripled, driving in both runners with his third hit of the inning. Ron was caught in between third and home for the first out of the inning, but the score was 9-1. Holly then retired Guthrie to end the disastrous inning.

Ron had 3 hits and 3 RBI, and was only a double short of the cycle, all in the bottom of the first

Guthrie cruised through the top of the second, giving up a single to Brad but stranding him at first for a scoreless inning.

Holly settled down in the bottom of the second, pitching a scoreless inning and stranding Morrison, who singled for his fourth hit in the game, at first.

The offense was quieted in the third, as Guthrie retired Holly and Mark consecutively, and Holly returned the favor by retiring Les and Morrison after Guthrie singled, stranding him at first.

Guthrie was dominant on the mound and was helped by a superb defensive performance from the Caucasians fielders

Brad singled to lead off the fourth, but Guthrie held him there, retiring Cody and Holly in order to maintain the 9-1 lead.

The Caucasians would add to their lead in the bottom of the fourth. Ron grounded out to left for the first out of the inning, but Guthrie followed with a single. With Guthrie on first, Les pounded a 2-run bomb to left-center, extending the lead to 11-1. Morrison followed with a solo shot, his third homer of the game, and the Caucasians had an eleven run lead. Holly then retired Ron to end the inning.

Morrison went 6 for 7 with 3 bombs and 6 RBI

Mark and Brad each singled to lead off the top of the fifth, but Bobby Brown couldn’t cut into the deficit. Guthrie retired Cody and Holly in order, stranding both runners and ending the inning.

Guthrie singled to start the bottom of the fifth, and moved to second when Les grounded out for the first out of the inning. With a runner on second, Morrison tripled, scoring Guthrie and making the score 13-1. The next batter, Ron, singled, scoring Morrison from third and pushing the lead to 14-1. Holly fanned Guthrie for the second out of the inning with the deficit at thirteen runs.

Bobby Brown went quietly in the top of the sixth, as Guthrie retired their two most potent hitters, Mark and Brad, to end the game.

The Caucasians went up early and the game was never in question, as they took a 1-0 lead in the best of five series.

Game Notes:
– Morrison led the Caucasians going 6 for 7 with 3 homers and 6 RBI.
– In three first round postseason starts, Guthrie is now 3-0 and has given up only 1 ER on 7 hits in 18 IP.
– Mark and Brad led Bobby Brown offensively. Mark went 2 for 5 with a solo homer and 1 RBI, and Brad went 3 for 5 with three singles.